SGT Rosslyn Edward Gresens

Sgt Rosslyn Gresens

1928 - 1950

SGT Rosslyn Gresens May 1, 1928 – August 11, 1950 Rosslyn Edward Gresens was born in South Dakota to Edward Gresens and Hattie Jahsman Gresens. He had one brother, Leonard and three sisters, Arlene, Velva, and Lila. Rossi (as he was known), attended school in Hill City, Minnesota and enlisted in the United States Army on January 3, 1949.

After his military training as a Combat Construction Specialist, he was sent to Occupied Japan as part of the post WWII occupation forces. When the Korean Conflict broke out Rosslyn's unit was reassigned to Korea. As a Corporal in Company B, 3rd Engineer Combat Battalion, on August 11, 1950, Rosslyn was a member of a 14 man patrol on the west side of the Naktong River. The mission was to penetrate the enemy line, and observe location, movement, and strength of the enemy. There was enemy contact and the patrol attempted to withdraw after taking heavy casualties. Cpl Gresens advanced toward the enemy and accounted for at least 15 enemy casualties. He was last seen firing at the enemy as the patrol retreated. The Army issued a presumptive finding of death on December 31, 1950, after attempt to locate and recover any remains from the area.

Cpl Gresens was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions and was also promoted to Sgt. In addition to the Silver Star, Sgt Gresens was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Citation, Republic of Korea War Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, the Army Presidential Unit Citation, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Sgt Gresens is remembered at the Courts of the Missing Honolulu Memorial and at the Korean War Memorial in Washington D.C. He also has a cenotaph (a monument to someone buried elsewhere) at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Sgt Gresens remains were identified on February 28, 2025.

Gresens is survived by nieces, Judy (Bub) Pierce, Nancy Austin, Peggy (Norm) Elton, Cindy (Robert) Clifford, Charleen Klarquist, Linda (Brad) Boudreau; nephews, Alfred Specht and Wayne Specht along with several grandnieces and grandnephews.

Services with Military Honors will be held on September 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Macville Cemetery, Hill City. Please carpool to the Macville Cemetery, if possible. A reception will be held at the Main Street Pavillion in Hill City, MN following the service.

Sgt Gresens' mother, Hattie, always believed that he would come home – and now he has!

Arrangements are with the Rowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.